Storm moving in 12 Apr, 06 - 22:00 27.4453N,17.1200W

3.00 am
Winds: 5-10 knots, Northerly
Position: N 27.55620
Sea state: slight swell
The GPS shows that I have drifted further South overnight, which is good news. I got onto the deck to check out the wind speed, which seems to have eased a bit with a few gentle swells visible in the dark, as the moonlight reflects off the waves. What's the Atlantic like at 3.00 am? Absolutely magnificent. Muscles are a bit sore from the previous days row. A quick check to see if the oars are secure. Instead of taking the oars out of the locks, I have crossed them and tied them together in the center, with the blades sticking out over the sea. This system seems to be working for now. Back to sleep till the next session at 6.00 am.
6.00 am
Winds: 15-20 knots, Northerly
The wind seems to have picked up a bit again. Breakfast with a fab view of the the sun emerging over the horizon. A few rain clouds visible further South, some cause for concern.
9.00 am
Winds: Northerly
The swell has increased a bit. Looks like it will rain in the afternoon.
Time again to make my protein mix and another 3 hour session at the oars. Seasickness still lurks. The body seems to be still adjusting to getting thrown about by the waves.
12.00 pm
Light rain with a slight increase in winds and swell. Waves height about 1 meter, with the odd wave crashing into the side of the boat. After a lunch of protein bars and Lucozade, time to hit the oars again. I briefly saw my first fin in the water at lunchtime. About 6 inches and visible for about 15 seconds. Probably a curious dolphin.
The sea is too choppy to cook up any lunch so I have to make do with with 3 more snack bars.
3.00 pm
Winds: North - Easterly
Sea state: rough
Had some progress since lunchtime, in getting further South. But the intensity of the rain has increased along with the force of the waves making it difficult to row. The body harness that keeps me secured to the boat has been irritating the skin ever since I left San Sebastian, looks like I'm well on my way to my first skin sore.
Rowing in the ocean is far far different from rowing on a lake. Its difficult to get both oars into the water at the same time, unless the boat is in the trough of the wave. It takes a bit of getting used to. Waiting till the crest of the wave has passed below the boat and getting the timing just right, more often, pulling one oar at a time thru the water.
I've been constantly sprayed with salt water since morning. A quick thanks to Helly Hansen. The Lifa base layer and waterproof shell that I have on since morning has been working swimmingly well so far and kept the wind and salt from getting to the skin.
9.00 pm
Winds: North - Easterly
Sea state: rough
GPS Position: N 27.44.634 W 17.12.000
Looks like I am in the middle of the high pressure zone. Rain has increased, with large waves crashing over the deck. The swell has increased to about 2.5 - 3 meters and the boat is listing to the starboard side. The ballast seems to have shifted as a result of the boat being thrown about by the waves. To re adjust the ballast, I will have to open the water tight compartments below deck and adjust all the heavy food items and water ballast to the center and distribute some of the lighter freeze dried food to the sides. Will have to
wait till the rain eases. The boat seems to be taking the rough weather quite well. In La Gomera, I had intentionally increased the ballast on the boat to give it more stability in rough weather and this seems to be paying off.
All is quite dandy otherwise.
Thanks for the messages, signing off for the night,
B
TODAYS PHOTO - Stormy outlook